The air navigation work programme of ICAO records current tasks and expected future tasks of the ANC Panels and other expert groups. These support ICAO’s high-level strategic objectives on safety and air navigation capacity and efficiency, as well as associated priorities detailed in the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP).
With the support of the ICAO Secretariat, the air navigation work programme is maintained and reviewed by the ANC at least once every calendar year, with updates approved as necessary. This review and approval process ensures that all necessary tasks are identified and prioritized within the work programme and assigned to the appropriate ANC Panel(s) or other expert group(s).
The air navigation work programme, guided by GASP and GANP priorities, therefore serves as a cornerstone of the individual work programmes of the various ANC Panels and other experts groups that assist ICAO in the standards-making process. Tasks duly assigned to these expert groups typically comprise the development of new or improved Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and procedures – for inclusion in the Annexes or Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) to the Convention.
The ANC also monitors the availability of accompanying technical guidance material and other elements to assist States and industry when implementing new or amended SARPs and PANS.
The air navigation work programme is intrinsically linked with the standards-making process*, since each and every work programme element pertaining to a new or improved SARP or procedure follows the requisite review and approval stages.
Similarly, it is preferable that the associated technical guidance material necessary to foster implementation be available in time for the applicability date of a new or improved Annex or PANS provision.
Related Supporting Resources
